Speaking Roman Numerally, the Broncos are clearly the closest team so far to this year's grand finalists. In fact, if you swap the I and V they become team 16, NRL champs. So close, but yet so far.
Brisbane Broncos
Act II Scene I
"Wayne, Wayne, wherefore art thou, Wayne?"
Heeeeere's Tonie!
Season Highlight: After heading into their week 12 bye coming 2nd on the ladder, the Broncos dropped 7 out of their next 8 games. They dropped 46 points to Cronulla and 56 points to the Raiders. Everyone wrote them off. But they came back from that to win 7 games on the trot, including an absolute smashing of minor premiers the Dragons, and charge strongly into the preliminary final.
Season Lowlight: The preliminary final. It was probably to be expected - the Broncos were just conceding too many tries per game (2nd worst in the comp), and a fired up Storm were always going to smash them. I thought I saw tears in Lockyer's eyes, but then remembered that he had his tear ducts removed and inserted into his throat to lubricate those raspy chords.
Most Valuable Player: Peter Wallace, it would appear. How else do you explain their transition from comp-menacing demons to pathetic roadkill in the space of one week? Oh yeah, League Blog already explained above, because their defence sucks. Wallace continues to take his game to the next level and is a lock to play one of three Origin games next year.
Least Valuable Player: Shared between Michael Hunt (nee de Vere) and Tonie Carroll. Don't come back from retirement unless you are good. Notable mention to Justin Hodges - when an international centre only scores 3 tries all season, it just shows his heart's not quite in it.
Telling Statistic: All League fans were about to rejoice when it looked like the Broncos streak of 45 straight finals appearances would be brought to a windscreen smashing halt this year. This was truly the good news the NRL needed in a year full of bad news. But the Broncos had to go and ruin it for everyone, going on that winning streak and making the GF qualifier. League Blog can't see that streak of semis appearances being beaten by any other team next year.
Quote that sums up their year: "It was disappointing, but that's footy. There's always one winner and one loser." Justin Hodges does the math on the Broncos exit from the semis. I have to correct him though - sometimes Rugby League is also the winner, meaning there is two winners and one loser.
2010 Outlook: I can see the Broncos coping with their loss of Karmichael Hunt to AFL by signing Warwick Capper to fill the gap. Lockyer will pledge his commitment to playing until he is 48, by which time he will be Captain/Coach, Wally Lewis-style.
Brisbane Broncos
Act II Scene I
"Wayne, Wayne, wherefore art thou, Wayne?"
Heeeeere's Tonie!Season Highlight: After heading into their week 12 bye coming 2nd on the ladder, the Broncos dropped 7 out of their next 8 games. They dropped 46 points to Cronulla and 56 points to the Raiders. Everyone wrote them off. But they came back from that to win 7 games on the trot, including an absolute smashing of minor premiers the Dragons, and charge strongly into the preliminary final.
Season Lowlight: The preliminary final. It was probably to be expected - the Broncos were just conceding too many tries per game (2nd worst in the comp), and a fired up Storm were always going to smash them. I thought I saw tears in Lockyer's eyes, but then remembered that he had his tear ducts removed and inserted into his throat to lubricate those raspy chords.
Most Valuable Player: Peter Wallace, it would appear. How else do you explain their transition from comp-menacing demons to pathetic roadkill in the space of one week? Oh yeah, League Blog already explained above, because their defence sucks. Wallace continues to take his game to the next level and is a lock to play one of three Origin games next year.
Least Valuable Player: Shared between Michael Hunt (nee de Vere) and Tonie Carroll. Don't come back from retirement unless you are good. Notable mention to Justin Hodges - when an international centre only scores 3 tries all season, it just shows his heart's not quite in it.
Telling Statistic: All League fans were about to rejoice when it looked like the Broncos streak of 45 straight finals appearances would be brought to a windscreen smashing halt this year. This was truly the good news the NRL needed in a year full of bad news. But the Broncos had to go and ruin it for everyone, going on that winning streak and making the GF qualifier. League Blog can't see that streak of semis appearances being beaten by any other team next year.
Quote that sums up their year: "It was disappointing, but that's footy. There's always one winner and one loser." Justin Hodges does the math on the Broncos exit from the semis. I have to correct him though - sometimes Rugby League is also the winner, meaning there is two winners and one loser.
2010 Outlook: I can see the Broncos coping with their loss of Karmichael Hunt to AFL by signing Warwick Capper to fill the gap. Lockyer will pledge his commitment to playing until he is 48, by which time he will be Captain/Coach, Wally Lewis-style.
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